So it comes as no great surprise that 77299 remains in near-perfect condition a few months after its 82nd birthday. Remember that this guitar was essentially one woman's wedding ring; and her family treated it as such. Even though Roy Fleeger continued performing with it for many years, putting a little wear on the top between the bridge and the pickguard, this instrument is the definition of an heirloom. It was neatly wiped down and kept in its case when not in use, and passed down to Roy and MaryAnn's children when they could no longer play it. Its surroundings and environment must have been excellently maintained, as its original finish remains gleaming and mostly un-checked. There are no cracks. And aside from the aforementioned playwear on the soundboard, the only other significant sign of use is a small spot of worn finish on the back of the neck, where hundreds of hours of first-position chords have been logged. When our consigning owner acquired 77299 from an intermediary representing Roy and MaryAnn's son in 2009, no work had ever been done to it. Luthier Ken Fallon performed a neck reset, and installed new frets and a new bridge at that time. The setup remains unaltered since then, and needs no adjustment. The guitar's action measures perfectly, at 3/32" (bass side) and 2/32" (treble side) under tension of medium gauge strings. 77299's structure is otherwise completely original. It is still housed in its original hardshell case.

Ironically, we hesitate to discuss sound with a guitar like this one. What can we say that you haven't heard before? Suffice it to say ~ this is a best of all worlds scenario for guitar lovers. The instrument has been played hard for decades; and it's also been meticulously preserved. Its only service appointment was under the supervision of an expert. And its lineage is the stuff of a guitar worthy of a display in the Martin museum. We cannot think of a more perfect-sounding herringbone D-28 that this one, with its inimitable combination of kick-drum-sized bass, thick, bluegrass-ready mids, and bright-but-never-harsh trebles all working in perfect harmony. This guitar is more than its heralded, storybook voice ~ it's a piece of one family's musical history. And we're proud to have made it part of ours as well.

Roy and MaryAnn Fleeger were married for 76 years at the time of her passing in 2018. She was 94. Roy lived to be 100 years old, and passed away in 2020. How marvelous is it to think that guitars like 77299, as well-cared-for as it was by the Fleegers, are bound to outlive us all?